Lotus Root Cakes

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Lotus Root Cakes

Lotus roots are so underrated in asian cuisine! My mom originally came up with this idea to add lotus roots in my dad’s ground pork mixture.

First, we tried it with rice and we were addicted! They tasted slightly sweet, with a soft and tender texture. We like to serve this as a main entree for dinner along with a few vegetable dishes for a complete Chinese meal ◡̈

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR YOUR LOTUS ROOT CAKES:

• 1 lotus root, peeled (15-20 thin slices and rest is grated)
• ½ carrot, peeled and grated
• 1 lb ground pork (can sub with chicken)
• 1 green onion
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon chicken bouillon
• 2 tbs water, gradually add
• 1 tbs soy sauce
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tbs cornstarch
• 1-2 tbs avocado oil (for frying)
• green onions (for garnish)

STEPS TO MAKE THE LOTUS ROOT CAKES:

1. Peel and grate half a carrot and set aside. Prepare lotus root by peeling the skin. Then, cut off the ends. Rinse lotus root throughly in water. Sometimes theres dirt in the holes of the lotus root. Use a chopstick to clean dirt.
2. Thinly slice ¼ lotus root with a mandolin or knife (be careful ◡̈ ). Add thinly sliced lotus roots in water to get rid of excess starch (or else it will be stringy). Then, grate the rest of the lotus root and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, add ground pork, grated lotus roots, grated carrot, 1 sliced green onion, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon chicken bouillon, 1 tbs water, 1 tbs soy sauce and 1 egg. Mix together in one direction for at least 25 times.
4. After mixing, add an additional tablespoon of water and some corn starch. Mix together in one direction for another 25 times until the meat is gelatinous and soft. My dad uses this technique for tender and juicy meat patties!
5. Finally, In a low medium frying pan, add 1 tbs oil. Once hot, slow add 1.5-2.5 tablespoons of filling on the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Once cooked on both sides, add thinly sliced lotus root on top for an extra crunch (and aesthetic). Cooking Tip: Try not to overcrowd the pan (4-6 max on a pan) to ensure even cooking of the lotus cakes!
6. Enjoy the lotus roots with some rice and leafy vegetables (like spinach or brocolli!)

Looking for side dishes that go with this dish?

• Chinese stir fried green beans – spicy dish that goes so well with lotus root cakes!
• steamed eggplant – perfect eggplant dish for those that love garlic!
• wood ear mushroom salad – refreshing wood ear mushrooms salad is spicy and savory.

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